ZION NATIONAL PARK

Zion NP is a beautiful place to visit. Well this picture didn't turn out like we wanted it to but these folks just wouldn't move and we had traffic behind us. The park was quite busy.

Lots of steep tall rock cliffs in varied colors.

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The scenery is breathtaking. 

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We took a two mile hike along the Virgin River.

On our hike along the river Belinda spotted this deer laying in the shade.

All different shapes and colors of cliffs.

Bison are not natural to the park. These were brought here from Yellowstone as an experiment. We read that it is not working out too well.

Leaving Williams AZ, we didn't buy gas there. That is the highest gas price we have seen since we left Texas. Williams is a nice town to visit and close to the Grand Canyon but it was the most expensive place so far. We did fill up with propane though. Propane was $3.39 per gallon.

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Just north of  Flagstaff there was snow on this mountain. It was a very nice day for a drive to Utah.

Crossing the bridge next to the Lake Powell power dam.

Crossing into Utah, just North of Lake Powell.

It was a nice windy day, this tumble weed blew in front of us of course we hit it. Later we were picking it out of the grille. No damage.

Entering Kanab Utah. Just South of our home for a week. We will be in Mt. Carmel UT

Our friends from Edinburg TX Ken and Jackie were passing thru this area and we met up with them and had a nice visit. They are headed to Washington and Oregon too. Maybe we will cross their path again on this trip.

This is the view from our doorstep at our RV park here in Mt. Carmel Utah. We found a little gem here. 

THE GRAND CANYON AND VERDE VALLEY ARIZONA

We headed out to the Grand Canyon on June 12th, on the way we stopped at this air museum. It was worth the stop and it was only $6 for the admission.

There were lots of World War II vintage planes and others.

The description of this WW I plane explained that it was dangerous and no one wanted to fly it. The engine was undependable. 

A BD-5 home built.

There were a lot of displays like this. Very interesting.

Cars on display in front of a "Tourist Trap/Gas Station" they will do anything to get someone to buy one of their $61 shirts, Yup! I said $61

The cars were cool though.

We made it, scratch this one off the bucket list. The Grand Canyon takes your breath away, it so beautiful.

We hiked about 2 mi. along the rim.

Every direction another photo opp.

The weather was very nice, about 85 F.

We were able to zoom in the Colorado river about 5 mi. below.

On our way out of the National Park we spotted a heard of Elk, Belinda walked back and took pictures.

Helicopters were like a swarm of bees around the Grand Canyon.

This was the RV park we stayed at in Williams AZ. It had all we needed and was very well kept. The wind there was brutal.

Belinda took a walk around Williams before we left for a ride to the Verde Valley of AZ.

We had a wonderful ride that day.

We took hwy 89 down to Prescott then 89A to Jerome, the to Sedona. Had lunch in Sedona. That is a beautiful part of the world. We will go back there again some day. 

The Verde Valley from the top of Mingus Mt.

And then the battery in the camera died and we went to Sedona for lunch and a beer. 

LEAVING BIG BEND FOR COOLER PLACES

We had a change of plans. Had planned to visit Tucson AZ and Phoenix on our way to the Grand Canyon. With the exceptional heat, we have changed our plans and will begin to head North sooner to escape the heat.

Just East of El Paso TX, headed for somewhere cooler.

This was in Alpine TX. We stopped here to go to the grocery store. Nice little town that has a microbrewery and a good grocery store.

Inside of the Fort Davis drugstore/restaurant. We had breakfast there and it was very good. Notice the old fashioned soda fountain.

Fort Davis's claim to fame is the McDonald Observatory as well as the Fort Davis Historical Site. We visited both.

Went on a tour of the observatory. The original telescope was a joint venture with the University of Texas and The University of Chicago. Since then everything has been taken over by U of T. The observatory got a big boost from NASA when they were planning the moon landings. NASA used the newest telescope as well as paid for most of it.

Inside is a 35 million dollar telescope.

We got a very nice guided tour. All for $8 each.

The reason for the observatory located 16 miles from Ft. Davis is very low light pollution as well as 300 days a year of clear weather.

These guys were just outside the door of the visitor center. They were making a real mess.

They have a recommended driving tour of the Ft. Davis area, we spotted this wild turkey on our drive.

There are lots of places here with open range. No fences anywhere.

This is not from the era of the fort, but the building was donated to the Historical Society by a barber. Notice the hair curling hookups

We are on our way to Silver City NM. Elevation 6,000 FT. much cooler.

Passing thru El Paso TX. That is Juarez Mexico in the distance.

The weather in Silver City NM was great. We woke up to 54 degrees. This turned out to be a beautiful city with friendly people. It is not a destination we have heard of, but we would return because of it's surrounding beauty and the very nice people. The climate is a plus.

A car show going on in the downtown.

Turned out to be a really nice day.

Had to take a picture of the Bar in downtown Silver City.

Cool shops too.

I liked the sign in the window of the Buffalo Bar.

We had lunch at the micro brew bar. The beer was OK.

Our waitress was friendly and really fast on her feet.

Then we went to a Pro Rodeo that was in town for 4 days. A great show.

The Rodeo started with what they called Mutton Bustin. That is a little kid trying to ride a sheep, it was a hoot!

Rodeo announcer, he kept everyone entertained.

And of course, we need a rodeo clown.

Saddle bronc riding.

I have determined that bull riders are a little bit crazy, POCO LOCO.

On the road again, headed for Munds Park AZ. Just outside of Flagstaff.

It was a beautiful Sunday drive and much cooler temperatures.

This was in Winslow AZ, for our Ajijic friends, notice the name of  the hotel.

Here we are "TAKING IT EASY" in Winslow AZ.

Winslow AZ would not be much more than a spot on the map if it were not for the Eagles song, and of course the railroad has a major presence here. The town is well kept and we enjoyed our visit there when passing thru.

We checked into our RV park in Munds Park and headed out Monday morning to Phoenix to visit old friends of Belinda's. Belinda went to barber school with here friend Dee.

It didn't take long to get very hot once we left the flagstaff area. It was 109 degrees when we headed back up the mountain to Munds Park.

This beautiful plant was growing along side a street in Phoenix.

Belinda's friend Dee cutting her hair. Dee and here husband Harry own a hair salon in the Phoenix area.

Signs everywhere around Flagstaff telling us to watch for Elk, these are the only ones we have seen.

Where we are parked in Munds Park.